Notice Number: NOT-OD-16-022

Key Dates
Release Date: November 16, 2015

Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Purpose

This Notice is to remind awardee institutions that annual reports for the period January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 are due to the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) by January 31, 2016. The Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy) requires Assured institutions to submit a written report to OLAW at least once every 12 months.

What to Include

Information to be reported consists of any change in the institution’s program of animal care and use, any change in the Institutional Official or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) membership, the dates that the IACUC conducted its semiannual evaluations of the program and facilities, and any minority view by an IACUC member.

Remember to include any program changes in response to recent OLAW policy updates:

• Guidance on Significant Changes to Animal Activities: If your IACUC established policies for administrative handling of some significant changes, indicate that you have a program change and list what these policies are. You do not need to attach or provide copies of the policies. (See NOT-OD-14-126)
• Guidance on Qualifications of Nonscientific and Nonaffiliated Members: Include an updated IACUC roster if you’ve had membership changes such as changes to comply with guidance on the qualifications of nonscientific and nonaffiliated members. (See NOT-OD-15-109)
• For Institutions with National Science Foundation (NSF) Supported Animal Activities: Indicate that you have a program change and attach an update to your Assurance Part I. Applicability section so that it reads: I. Applicability of Assurance “This Assurance applies whenever this Institution conducts the following activities: all research, research training, experimentation, biological testing, and related activities involving live vertebrate animals supported by the PHS and NSF. This Assurance covers only those facilities and components listed below.” (See NOT-OD-15-139)

How to Submit

Email the signed annual report in PDF format to olawarp@mail.nih.gov by January 31, 2016 (but not before December 31, 2015). If you have questions or need assistance, contact OLAW at 301-496-7163 or olawdoa@mail.nih.gov.

Resources

Additional information, instructions, and a sample document can be found on the Annual Report to OLAW webpage.

Inquiries

For questions or further information, contact:

Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)
Telephone: 301-496-7163
Email: olaw@od.nih.gov